What's a phrase you hear a lot, but disagree with?
One that comes to mind for me: "Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger" is not always true. Maybe even only half the time! Are there any phrases you tend to hear and shake your head at?
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As someone who self identifies as on the spectrum ( I'm over 60, so I doubt I'm going to be tested, but I have many -- but not all -- typical autism traits), I would say that it's true for me. I have never been close to people, even my own family. I've never had a very good friend, and when I move away from people, I typically don't keep in touch.
Foe example, both my parents died in the past 2 years, and while I feel a sense of loss, no strong emotions. If I lost my wife or children, I think I would continue without feeling significant trauma. I know that I'm supposed to be devastated by those kinds of losses, but it just doesn't happen. I don't really have strong attachments to anything or anyone.
I don't think I'm a bad person, it's just the way I'm wired. I don't like to see people suffer, and I have a strong aversion to conflict, so I don't believe I'm a sociopath.
So count me In as one of the people who believes that autism can be related to a lack of empathy, based on personal experience.
I think this right here is empathy. The fact that you have a wife and kids who you presumably have emotional attachment to also suggests you can understand their feelings.
Just because you don't respond to feelings in the same way as a neurotypical person doesn't mean you don't feel them.